Do you want to take up a secured job that will not be affected by a recession? If YES, here are 30 best recession jobs you should position yourself in.
We all love and enjoy a booming economy. The hopes for success are high, budgets get approved very fast, and companies can’t seem to hire enough to meet up with demand. But the economic cycle is called a “cycle” for a reason. Booms are inevitably followed by slow-downs, recessions, or downright depressions.
Once the economy falters, consumers tighten their grips, businesses cut non-essential expenses, and even the government is constrained in hiring. The odds of slipping into a recession are increasingly likely in 2023 as the global corona virus outbreak puts acute stress on the U.S. economy.
What is a Recession Proof Job?
Note this is a tough question since every profession and job position is unique and essential in our everyday lives. Yet, some jobs are more essential for the normal functioning of society. A recession proof job is a job that remains in high demand even through a bad economy. So, no matter what happens, there will always be a need for someone to do them.
Although no career is entirely recession proof, below are jobs in 2023 that will be more stable than most others during recessions.
30 Best Recession Proof Jobs Opportunities You Can Do With or Without Degrees
- Government Jobs
Government jobs are one of the most secure jobs in the country. Governments are always charged with providing services to citizens, and the number of services grows continuously. This job are available at the federal, state, and local levels and in a number of sectors such as taxation, finance, public health, and the list goes on. Salaries are fixed to the position and salaries go up based on contract negotiations. Management salaries are negotiated separately from worker salaries.
- Plumber
Plumbing is a recession proof job especially since people always need plumbers, and this need doesn’t go away just because the economy goes bad. To become a plumber, you need to obtain a high school diploma and complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship program. These apprenticeships tend to be paid positions in the plumbing industry. Some states also require plumbers to become licensed by passing an examination.
- Medical Doctors
Despite the condition of the economy, people doesn’t stop getting sick. Although it’s true they may forego some medical care due to financial limitations, there remain plenty of problems, such as those requiring major surgery, that people will typically treat. Also, during a recession, individual and family stress factors increase, such that public health in general may actually suffer more. No matter how you look at it, medical doctors remain in high demand.
- Accountants
Accountants are mainly charged with preparing and analyzing financial statements, but that’s not all they do. For instance, if you become a certified public accountant (CPA), you can also prepare tax returns. While some accountants specialize exclusively in tax matters, others might examine or audit books for accuracy as well as legal and regulatory compliance.
They might also make recommendations on cutting costs or bringing in more revenue. The skills and duties of accountants are important no matter how the economy performs.
For one thing, people and businesses have to file tax returns whether the economy is up or down. For another, publicly traded companies submit financial statements every quarter in all economic conditions. For these reasons, accountants are among the most desirable recession-proof jobs.
- Mental Health Providers
Psychologists and other therapists may actually be in higher demand during a recession than when the economy does well. This is because people are stressed out about their finances, which can lead to a range of other personal and interpersonal psychological issues.
However, divorce rate increases during a recession, which means that marriage counsellors are also in high demand. Professionals who are dedicated to personal crisis transformation – especially if their services are covered by insurance – have job security during a recession perhaps more so than during other times.
- Informational Security Analyst
The demand for security experts for computer networks and systems, working in fields as diverse as nonprofits, government agencies, financial institutions, health care, and more will continue to rise. According to reports, this career field will enjoy an employment growth of 28 percent by 2026. Given the number of massive data breaches in the news, that may be a conservative estimate.
- Energy
Energy is as basic to human life as food and shelter. Every day we humans need energy to drive our cars, heat or cool our homes, even to take a shower. The need for energy does not go away during a recession, though people may become more interested in conserving it.
Howbeit, the world continues to look for alternative forms of energy and green energy technologies. For example, the “green” industry continues to grow substantially, though demand remains high for fossil fuels as well.
- Hair Stylist
Becoming a hairstylist can be a safe career choice during hard economic times. One reason stated was that the positions cannot be outsourced to other countries. If someone wants her hair done by a professional, she needs to visit a hair salon, regardless of whether the economy is in recession. Note that no degree is needed to work as a hair stylist, but you must have a high school diploma and have graduated from a licensed cosmetology school.
Most stylists must also pass tests to get licensed. Programs typically last a minimum of nine months. According to reports, the number of jobs for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2010 to 2022.
- Police Officer
As people feel desperate and experience serious financial problems, crime rates tend to increase. However, this field isn’t entirely recession proof. It’s more “recession resistant,” considering that recent rounds of state and federal budget cuts have resulted in the layoffs of many police officers.
Nonetheless, it took three years before police officers even became concerned about their jobs. Though they haven’t entirely escaped the recession “burn,” police officers still have more job security than many other professionals.
- Electricians
These experts install, test, inspect and repair electrical systems. They might also read diagrams, test electrical systems or manage projects involving electrical systems. Electricians must know and follow state and local building regulations that are typically based on the National Electrical Code.
Electricians also work with power, lighting, communications and control systems. Since electrical systems provide power to households and businesses, there’s a constant demand for electricians to help ensure those systems stay up and running. Since that need never goes away, the recession-proof jobs related to maintaining electrical connections will not disappear, either.
- Internet Professionals
Businesses are expected to compromise their marketing budget when the economy deteriorates. This means they have to be smarter with how they spend it. One solution is to hire website designers, search engine optimization (SEO) experts, programmers, and social media marketers to promote their company.
Internet-based businesses also pick up as customers troll the web for the best deals or to save money on gas. SEO experts make about $50,000 a year, while the average PHP programmer makes close to $60,000.
- Physician assistant
Physician assistants work side-by-side on medical teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. There is tremendous growth potential in this line of work, as well as work satisfaction; an American Academy of Physician Assistants study found that more than 96 percent of Pas recommend their career to others.
- College Professor
When the economy is bad, the unemployed often go back to school. They want to avoid a job-less gap on their resumes, improve their marketability, and preoccupy themselves while they wait for the job market to improve. The average associate college professor makes between $42,000 and $85,000 a year. Their salary is heavily dependent on tenure, location, and their field.
- Statistician
Statisticians are math experts who analyze data in the hopes of predicting positive outcomes for businesses and organizations. The barrier to entry is tough: most jobs require a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics, but there are some positions that can be obtained with a bachelor’s degree.
- Senior Care Providers
As the baby boomers continue to age, the level of care they need grows and recession can’t change this need. Nursing homes will then keep looking for staffs to serve this aging population, and regardless of what is going on with the economy, elderly people will continue to need care.
Even if they can’t afford it, the country still has programs in place to pay for care. In fact, the demand for senior care is expected to increase in the coming years as more boomers approach 70.
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Specialists who install and repair wind turbines will be in demand—according to industry reports, employment in this field is expected to grow 57 percent by 2028, much faster than the average for other occupations.
- Health Care Administration
No matter the shape or situation of the economy, healthcare is a booming industry regardless. People still get sick and need physicians and other medical staff. For those who like the stability of health care but don’t necessarily want to work directly with patients, healthcare administration might be just the ticket.
Note that this job entails handling the administrative duties in a physician’s office, clinic or hospital, such as maintaining patient files, setting appointments and handling insurance issues. Some administrators oversee an entire small office, while others might be responsible for a single department in a larger facility.
- Environmental Engineers
These experts address environmental problems using the principles of biology, chemistry, soil science and engineering. Duties typically include designing projects, analyzing scientific data, monitoring and inspecting facilities and writing reports.
These engineers also deal with issues such as recycling, waste disposal, public health, and climate change and pollution control. Efforts such as wastewater treatment, environmental cleanup and regulatory compliance occur independently of the economy. As a result, economic downturns shouldn’t have a huge impact on the work handled by environmental engineers.
- Market Research Analyst
Typical duties for analyst include forecasting sales trends, measuring the success of marketing initiatives, collecting and analyzing data and preparing reports. Many might assume companies will scale back on this kind of work during tough economic times, but that’s not the case.
Market research analysts tend to stay employed even during recessions. If domestic markets head south, for example, market research analysts can turn their attention to analyzing global markets. Businesses also need these professionals to analyze massive amounts of data and find ways to cut costs in leaner times.
- Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
Since healthcare keeps booming even in a faltering economy, people will continue to need medication and insurance continues to cover the expense (to some extent).This creates a steady demand for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Also, more people are prescribed antidepressants and other stress-relieving medications in order to cope with tough times.
- Nurses
If you prefer to work with patients, then the field of nursing is constantly looking for graduates to man positions. Nurses work in hospitals or clinics, or they may provide care in patients’ homes. This profession can be entered with a two-year degree, although many employers require additional education to advance in the field.
Career Builder also advises that RNs must complete a national licensing examination to work in this position. Statistics show that the average annual salary for an RN is $46, 242 in 2009, and the expected rate of growth for this profession over the next decade is 23.5 percent.
- Post Secondary Teacher
Postsecondary teachers instruct students at colleges and universities, but are not necessarily professors. Like other types of teachers, they also work with students individually and grade papers and exams. Postsecondary teachers must also design lesson plans and modify the school curriculum as needs change.
Most professors at the university level spend time conducting research, often documenting and publishing their findings. The overall population tends to drive demand for higher education. Young people will always seek the skills and education needed to pursue their goals and careers, ensuring that postsecondary teaching positions remain recession-proof jobs.
- IT Staff
Information technology professionals remain in high demand, irrespective of what is going on with the economy. Though many jobs can be outsourced, others need to remain on-site. Plus, since companies need to become more efficient during a recession, they often seek IT services which have been proven one of the best ways to streamline business processes.
Programmers can make anywhere from $30,000 to $90,000 a year. Network administrators make about $35,000 to $70,000 a year. IT is one of the high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree.
- Veterinarian
Veterinarians research, diagnose and treat conditions for household pets, livestock and other animals. They might also treat wounds, perform surgery, prescribe medications, recommend treatments and, when necessary, perform Euthanasia.
Similar to healthcare professionals who treat humans, veterinarians aren’t impacted much by the overall economy. People who own animals usually want the best care no matter which way the economy swings, which means veterinarians, should have no trouble staying employed in any economic environment.
- Retail Store Jobs
During recessions, supermarkets tend to fare well compared to other industries. One reason is that food is a necessary staple for households. Although people tend to cut back on their restaurant spending during recessions, it simply means they eat more meals at home. As a result, retail store jobs will remain a stable option in 2023.
Many supermarket positions are available without a college degree. Some don’t even require a high school diploma. Entry level positions that don’t require a degree include stock clerks, cashiers, baggers and deli workers. In addition, some employers may promote employees into management positions without having a degree.
- International Business Professionals
Many businesses are building market share overseas and outsourcing their work to other countries in an attempt to increase revenues and cut costs. Therefore, professionals who know how to conduct business internationally are in high demand. For instance, an international human resources payroll manager makes a median salary of about $79,000 a year.
- Nursing Assistant
One job that doesn’t require a college degree is that of a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants are charged with providing basic care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Some healthcare facilities hire nursing assistants and train them on-the-job, while others require them to complete a certificate program.
Certificate programs can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. In addition, some states require certain licensing or certification criteria to be met. According to reports, the number of jobs for nursing aides, orderlies and attendants is expected to grow by approximately 20 percent between 2010 and 2022.
- Phlebotomist
These are medical professionals who draw blood for tests, transfusions, and other needs. Hospitals, laboratories, and blood donor centres are all in need of these specialists. No matter the situation of the economy and as people seek to stay healthy; the demand for phlebotomy experts will keep souring high.
- FBI Special Agent
The FBI needs special agents, linguists, intelligence analysts, and hostage rescue team (HRT) members to name a few growing areas of expertise. From cybercrime to terrorism, the universe of criminal behaviour is expanding at a rapid rate. This demand for well trained experts will keep growing especially with the rising terrorism and crime rate globally.
- Dental Hygienist
The field of dentistry is also one that is somewhat recession-proof in 2023, as consumer still require dental care in all economic conditions. Dental hygienists play a key role in the dental office, as the first-line employee patients typically see for cleanings and education.
This position can be entered with a two-year degree and state licensing. According to reports, the average salary for a dental hygienist was $68,250. The average growth for the field between 2010 and 2022 was predicted to be around 38 percent – much higher than the national average.